Picker stick check apparatus



Aug. 23, 1960 F. L. GooDNoUGH E1-AL l 2,949,937 C PICKER STICK CHECKAPPARATUS v Fild Nov. 1s, 1956 l 2 sheets-sheet 1y FQANK L @oom/ausgDOUG/ A5 D. @00a/VwGH ATTORNE V PICKER STICK CHECK APPARATUS V FiledNov. 1e, 195e l v v2 sheets-sheet 2 1N VENTORS /VK .GOODNOUG/- DOUGLASD. GOOD/VOUS# ATTORNEY United States Patent para Preken einen (2r-mokAPPARATUS Frank L. Goodnongh, Rte. 2, Galax, Va., and Douglas D.Goodnough, Burlington, N.C. (P O. Box 386, Swepsonville, N.C.)

Filed Nov. 16, 1956, Ser. No. 622,639

13 Claims. (Cl. 139-159) This invention relates to looms and moreparticularly to an apparatus for retarding and checking the movement ofa picker stick which may be assembled on the lay of a loom for receivingthe impact of a picker stick and to yieldably check the movementthereof.

in the conventional loom a shuttle, carrying the weft yarn, is propelledacross the loom in llight under the impact of a blow received from larapidly moving lever referred to as a picker stick. When the pickerstick is accelerated rapidly by means of a cam control and linkageconnection, the stick imparts momentum to the shuttle which shuttle willbe driven in llight across the loom, decelerating to a stop at the farside under the action normally of a spring-loaded friction box. Thedecelerating shuttle will strike a picker stick at the far side of theloom with sufficient momentum to pivot the picker stick in the directionof shuttle movement. A leather check strap will normally limit the finalangle of travel of the picker stick. Repeated impact of the shuttledriving the picker stick outwardly subjects check straps to considerablewear and frequent adjustment and replacement is necessary. Furthermore,since picker stick check straps are made of resilient material, such asleather, there is a tendency for the check strap to stretch or becomedistorted gradually or lose some of its modulus of elasticity withprolonged use. Also, due to the varying changes in atmosphericconditions within a weave room a leather check strap will tend to offervarying degrees of impact resistance which eventually may be evident inirregularities which appear in the finished woven material.

There is also a tendency when a shuttle is propelled across the loomunder the impact of the rapidly moving picker stick for the forward endof the shuttle to elevate slightly from its projected path whenever thepicker stick travels beyond a predetermined vertical position.Frequently shuttle speed may be reduced or the shuttle may fail tocomplete its Hight. When this occurs, that is, when the shuttle has notboxed by the time the lay swings forward to drive the weft yarn inposition, there is danger that the shuttle will be swept forward by thereed and pushed into the lill of the cloth. Many warp yarns may bebroken and irreparable damage done to the fabric when a smash occurs,necessitating a relatively long shutdown for withdram'ng and repairingthe broken warp yarns.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a pickercheck apparatus for resiliently checking the speed of a picker stick andlimiting the extent of picker stick displacement.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a pickerstick check mechanism for adjustably limiting the arcuate displacementor angular displacement of a picker stick.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustablepicker stick check mechanism which may be readily attached to the lay ofa loom thereby eliminating the use of flexible picker stick checkstraps.

Still 4another object of the present invention is to provide acombination adjustable picker stick check mechanisrn and friction boxfor limiting the displacement of and for controlling the speed of pickerstick travel.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a pickerstick check mechanism suitable for attachment to a conventional loomthat will be adjustable between limits to control positively the maximumangular displacemetn of a picker stick.

More specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide apicker stick check strap eliminator for application to a loom whichcomprises a `framework which may be releasably fastened to the box of aloom, a shaft secured directly to the framework and projectingtransversely thereto to support a picker stick engaging arm pivotallymounted thereon, a pair of stops associated with the picker stickengaging arm to limit the extent of pivotal movement of the arm inopposite directions, the picker stick engaging arm having meansassociated therewith for normally urging the arm against one of thestops to receive and absorb the impact energy of the picker stick, afriction box mounted on the framework in advance of the picker stickengaging arm with the box having a stationary padded guide membermounted thereon and a laterally pivotable padded member in spacedrelation to the fixed member with means associated with the pivotablepadded member for urging it into cooperative relation with thestationary padded member to partially impede picker stick travel.

@ther objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention fordecelerating, guiding and limiting picker stick movement will becomemore readily apparent to those skilled in this art during the course ofthe `following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference refer tocorresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational View of a loom illustrating the'upper portion of a picker stick and lay thereof, depicting one form ofthe present invention in combination therewith;

Fig. '2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken-substanially along theplane of section line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a partial transverse sectional view taken substantially alongthe plane of section line 3-3 of Fig. l; i

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the yieldable picker stick checkmechanism per se of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary Side elevational View of a, loom illustrating ashuttle, picker stick and lay thereof showing a modied form of thepresent inventive concept;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional View taken substantiallyalong the plane of section line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially along theplane of section line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the picker stick check deviceper se illustrated in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is an exploded view, in perspective, illustrating severalcomponents of the pivotable picker stick check arm.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. l and 2, thereis disclosed therein one unit o-f a pair of mechanisms embodying thepresent invention as mounted to the left side of a loom at the base ofthe loom lay lil within which a shuttle (not shown) is reciprocatedrectilinea-rly -upon actuation of picker stick 12 which picker stick isactuated by means of cam control and related lever mechanisms that arenot shown as they are familiar in the art. The lay end 13 is encompassedby a leather bumper strap 14 adjacent to which the picker stick l2 willrest in one extreme position. A picker stick check supporting framework15 is securely mounted to the lay base by anattaching bracket member 16in which there are longitudinally spaced slotted openings 17 forreceiving fastening bolts 18 therein. Projecting adjacent to one end ofthe bracket member 16 is an arm 19 that extends downwardly from thebracket member and to the left. A reinforcing strut member 2? is weldedat a position intermediate the length of the bracket member 16 andextends to a position intermediate the length of the arm 19. A stubshaft 21 is `welded at one end in the medial portion of the bracket 16and .extends vertically downward to a free end at which end a thread isprovided for threaded engagement by the-nut 22.

A pair of projecting ears 24 and 25 extends transversely from the arm 19in spaced angular relation with respect to the shaft receiving opening27 inthe arm 19. Each of the ears 24 and 25 receive in threaded.engagement an adjustable limit stop 28 and 29, respectively, with eachstop having a locking nut 30 thereon to lock the stops in the desiredposition.

A shaft 31 having threaded Yends is received in the arm opening 27 andextends transversely therefrom to receive a sleeve bearing 32 thereon,one end of the bearing 32 has an enlarged shoulder 33 in which aspringend receiving blindhole 34 and threaded set-screw recei ingopening 37 for the set-screw 38 are provided. An axial passageway 35extends from one end of the shaft 31 to communicate with a transversepassageway 36 in order to transmit a suitable lubricant to the bearingsleeve 32. A lubricant fitting 37 is threadably connected to the shaftend to admitv a suitable lubricant into the pas sageway 35.

A picker stick check arm 39 is lpivotally supported on the sleevebearing 32 through the hollow cylindrical hub 40 which extendstransversely to the arm 39 and has a diameter substantially that of thesleeve bearing shoulder 33. One end of the hub 40 reaches toward theshoulder 33 and the other end abuts against the side extension 41integral with the arm 39. Although hub 40 may be integrally cast withthe arm 39 it is shown as a separate element in Fig. 3. Pivotalresilience of the arm 39 is supplied by means of a helical coil spring43 which encircles the periphery of hub 40 and reaches transversely fromthe spring hook end 44 that engages a flange skirt on the arm 39 acrossthe hub 40 to enable the other hook end 45 of the spring into theopening 34 in the bearing sleeve shoulder 33. The threaded free ends ofshaft 31 receive fastening nuts 46 to retain the picker stick check armcomponents in operative relation.

Adequate torsional resilience to resist picker stick impact throughangular displacement of the picker stick arm between the limit stops 28and 29 may be provided simply by rotating the bearing sleeve 32 in thedesired direction with thespring ends secured against the arm flange andin the hole 34 to increase or to decrease the resistance of the spring43. By tightening the set-screw 38 against the shaft 31 relativerotation of the sleeve and shaft may be eliminated.

Depending upon the specific space requirements of each loom the arm 39may be modified so that the projecting bumper portion 47 may extend fromthe main portion of the arm a desired distance. A leather pad 48 orother suitable padding material may be secured to the face of the bumpermember to receive the direct blow of the picker stick as it strikes thearm 39. It will be apparent that the picker stick check arm will bepositioned initially against a forward stop 29 to absorb the impact ofthe picker stick 12 and sufficient resistance will be offered by thespring 43 to prevent the check arm 39 from striking against the rearlimit stop 28 with any appreciable force.

To reduce picker stick impact and also to limit for displacement of thepicker stick, one element of a friction attachment is pivotally mountedon the bracket shaft 21 in the form of lever brake arm 50 turned at oneend to form a shaft-receiving sleeve 51. The free end of the arm isengaged by a vertical leaf spring 53 fastened at one end by means of thebolt 54 to the side of the loom lay to normally urge the arm S0 into thepath of picker stick travel and against the end stop S4' End stop 54 ismounted for pivotal movement on the stud 55 which is retained on bracket56 that is fastened to the lay. Stop 54 has an elongated arm S7preferably made in the form of a profile cam or eccentric to ride on thefixed follower 53 which is mounted on the loom in spaced relation to thestop 54'. The rate and extent of displacement for arm 50 will be limitedupon the arm 57 engaging the stop 54.

A padded surface 59 reaching longitudinally along the brake arm 5C` inthe path of picker stick travel is sup ported against a plate 60 whichplate is adjustably secured by means of threaded bolts 61 that extendfrom the plate transversely to the larm S0 and are fastened theretointermediate the arm length. Transverse adjustment of the plate 6) maybe xaccomplished by means of the fastening nuts 63 and 64 which engageopposite sides of arm 50 `and are brought into a clamping fit yagainstthe arm.

Although in some instances it may be possible to use the single brakearm 50, it is preferred that Ia second stationary arm 65 be used incombination with the pivotable arm 50. Arm 65 is fastened by the bolt 66to the vertical bracket 67 which bracket is fastened to the lay by meansof the bolt 68. Arm 65 reaches longitudinally in spaced lateral relationto the arm 50 and terminates in a vertical reach 69 which has ahorizontal flange portion with an opening 71 therein to receive afastening bolt 72 for securing the arm 65 to the lay. A friction pad 73is mounted on plate 74 by means of screws 75. Plate 74 is secured to thebase angle plate 76 through slotted openings 77 which will receive thefastening screws 78 for lateral adjustment of the plate. The normaltransverse opening or gap between the padded surfaces 59 and 73 ispreferably slightly less th-an the width of the picker stick therebyrequiring lsome lateral movement of the arm 50 when the picker stickpasses between the padded surfaces.

In operation, as the picker stick 12 pivots from left to right, in theextreme right position the picker stick will extend beyond the paddedsurfaces 59 and 73. As the shuttle moves to the left and strikes thepicker stick, the impact will drive the stick to the left sharply. Topass through the transverse gap between pads 59 and 73 the picker stickwill engage the padded surfaces 59 and 73 which are sufficientlycurvedto guide the picker stick into the gap. The brake arm 50 will beforced to pivot outwardly under the resistance of spring 53. Ultimatelythe retarding cam action of arm S7 on the follower 58 will resistfurther outward movement of the arm. As the momentum of the picker stickis partially reduced in passing through the picker stick friction box,it will next engage the padded surface 48 on the picker stick check arm39 and the arm will be pivoted from the right position stop 29 againstthe left stop 28. By adjusting the tension of spring v43, the energy ofimpact of the stick may be absorbed sufciently by the spring rto reducethe direct shock and act as a shock absorber. In the advance stroke,with the shuttle, not shown, at the left side of the lay, `the pickerstick motion to the right will be retarded as the stick reenters .fthepicker stick friction box from left to right. With the linear travel ofthe picker stick being limited each time to a predetermined verticalposition the shuttle will be driven by the picker stick motion until thepicker stick reaches approximately the vertical position. Subsequently,the picker stick will complete its stroke to the right beyond thefriction box. In this manner, the shuttle will not be acted upon by adownward force component from the picker stick to depress the rear andraise or tilt the forward end of the shuttle.

There is shown in Figs.'5 through 9 a modification of the invention inwhich a pivotable picker stick check apparatus 80 is employed per se asattached to a loom lay 81 to retard the movement of the picker stick 82to the left after it has been struck by the shuttle 83 in its movementto the left. The bracket 84, substantially similar to .the bracket 15,has an arm 85 welded to the bracket 84 with the arm 85 reachingdownwardly toward the left. A reinforcing strut member 86 is fastened atits ends by welding to a position `intermediate the length of the arm S5and the bracket 84.

The bracket 84 has spaced slotted openings 87 in the flange 88 forslidable adjustment relative to the fastening bolts 89 which areretained in the bottom of the lay to secure the bracket in position. Ashaft 90 having a threaded end 91 is passed through an opening 92 in thearm 85 and reaches transversely. A bearing sleeve 93 encircles the shaft90 and over the bearing sleeve at one end there is a spring retainingring 94 fastened on the sleeve bearing by means of the setscrew 95. Atleast one spring end receiving opening 96 is drilled in the periphery ofthe ring 94.

A picker stick check arm 97 having a central hub portion 98 about whicha helical coil spring 99 is mounted on the bearing sleeve 93 for pivotal-action between limits. One end of the hub portion 98 is in spaced axialrelation with the ring 94 providing suflicient clearance therebetween.to prevent locking of the arm 97 during pivoting. Spring 99 on the hubportion 98 will project into the annular cavity 100 formed by the hubportion 98 and the partial skirt 101 ilaring outwardly from the arm 97.One end 102 of the spring 99 may be inserted into the spring hookopening 96 and the other hook end 103 of the spring will engage theskirt 101. Suitable spring resiliance or tension may be obtained byrotating the ring 94 with the spring hooked ythereon and locking thering in position.

Sleeve bearing 93 may be provided with a head 105 at one end tofacilitate adjustment of spring tension as will be described. Alsomounted on the shaft 90 is a pair of angle plates 106 and 107 which haveinwardly projecting limit portions 108 against which the edges of theskirt on the picker stick arm 97 will strike in pivotal movement. Thebolt head 109 on the end of the shaft is tapped to threadably receive alubricating fitting 110 for transmitting lubricant to the axialpassageway 111 in the shaft 90. Lubricant from the passageway 111 willbe admitted through the transverse opening 112 in the shaft and throughthe communicating opening 113 in the bearing to lubricate the bearingsurface of the picker stick check arm.

The picker stick check arm 97 of the embodiment illustrated issubstantially planar and is provided at its free end with a paddedmember 115 against which the picker stick 32 will strike in moving tothe left before striking the leather band `116 at the lay end 117. Toprovide tension adjustment in spring 99, the shaft .fastening bolt 11Smay be loosened and by rotating the head 105 of the bearing sleeve 93relative to the shaft the ring 94, fastened by means of the set-screw 95to the sleeve will provide the requisite tension to the spring 99 so asto normally urge the arm forwardly to engage the edge 108 of the forwardstop 106 in the initial picker stick striking position.

In operation, as the shuttle 83 is reciprocated rectilinearly and in itsmovement to the left, it will strike the padded end 11S of the pickerstick with sufficient momentum to force the picker stick to the left.The picker stick will strike the end of the picker stick check arm 115and the arm will be forced to the left. The picker stick will continuemoving to the left resisted by the action of the spring 99. It isdesirable to have adequate spring tension so that a movement of the arm85 will stop just prior to impact of the skirt flange with the lrearstop 107. However, on occasion the back portion of the skirt flange maystrike the stop 107 to positively limit rearward movement of the arm. Itwill be apparent that the end stops 106 and 107 may be readily adjustedto whatever included angle of travel is desired by merely positioningthe angle plates 106 and 107 relative to each other. When the pickerstick S2 is moved to the right the arm 97 will be prevented frommovement beyond the forward stop 106.

Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of the picker stick check arm and the otherelements constituting the assemblage in light of the above teachingswithout departing from the real spirit and purpose of this invention. ltis, therefore, to be understood that Within the scope of the appendedclaims many modiiied forms of structure as well as the use of mechanicalequivalents may be reasonably included and modifications arecontemplated.

What is claimed is:

l. A picker stick check apparatus for a loom comprising a bracket forfastening the apparatus to the base of a loom lay, a picker stick checkmember supported by the bracket in the path of picker stick travel, saidcheck member being displaceable between limits, resilient means fornormally urging the check member to absorb picker-stick impact at theterminal portion of picker stick travel, a picker stick swing gatepivotally mounted on the bracket in advance of said check member, astationary member mounted in spaced lateral relation to the swing gateand to cooperate therewith to form a gap through which a picker stickwill pass, said swing gate and said stationary member having paddedpicker stick contact portions thereon, and resilient means for normallyurging said swing gate into juxtaposition with the stationary memberwhereby the picker stick terminal movement may be decelerated by passingbetween the swing gate and the stationary member and final impact may beabsorbed by the check member.

2. -A picker stick check apparatus for a loom comprising a bracket forfastening the apparatus to the base of a loom lay, a picker stick checkmember supported by the bracket in the path of picker stick travel,stops on said bracket to limit the movement of the check member, andresilient means for normally urging the check member against one of thestops and to absorb picker stick impact, a picker stick friction boxmounted on the bracketV comprising a swing gate resiliently mounted onthe bracket in advance of said check member, a stationary member mountedin spaced lateral relation to the swing gate `to form a gap therewiththrough which a picker stick will be admitted yieldingly, said swinggate and said stationary member having padded picker stick contactportions thereon, and resilient means: for normally urging said swinggate into juxtaposition with the stationary member whereby the pickerstick terminal movements may be retarded by passing between the swinggate and the stationary member and final impact may be absorbed by thecheck member.

3.' A picker stick check apparatus for a loom comprising ya bracketfastened to a loom lay, a shaft supported by the bracket, a paddedpicker stick check arm pivotally mounted on the shaft, adjustable stopsfor limiting the angle of Ycheck Varm movement, spring means normallyurging the check arm toward one limit stop, a picker stick frictionmeans mounted in spaced relation to the check arm, said friction meansincluding a padded friction plate mounted to pivot about a vertical axisout of the path of picker stick travel upon impact by a moving pickerstick, and means to yieldably resist the pivotal displacement of thefriction plate.

4. A picker stick check -apparatus for a loom comprising a bracketfastened to a loom lay, a shaft supported by the bracket, a paddedpicker stick check arm pivotally mounted on the shaft, stops forlimiting the angle of check arm movement, means for normally urging thecheck arm toward one limit stop and for absorbing impact energy of apicker stick, a picker stick friction box mounted in spaced relation tothe check arm on the bracket, said friction means including a paddedfnction plate mounted to pivot about a vertical axis upon impact by apicker stick, and spring means to yieldably resist pivotal displacementof the friction plate.

5. A picker stick check apparatus for a loom comprising, in combination,a bracket fastened adjacent the terminal end of a loom lay, a shaftsupported by the bracket, a picker stick check arm pivotally mounted atone end on the shaft for displacement in a vertical plane in the path ofpicker stick travel, the free end of the arm having an impact cushionpad thereon, a pair of adjustable stops supported on the bracket inspaced relation to limitangular check arm displacement, spring meansnormally urging the check arm against one of the stops, a gate armpivotally mounted on the bracket for lateral displacement in ahorizontal plane in advance of the check arm `to partially check pickerstick momentum, said gate arm having a reach of material ofsubstantially high coefcient of sliding frictional resistance. securedthereto, and means for yieldably resisting pivotal gate arm movement.

6. A picker stick check apparatus for a loom comprising, in combination,a bracket fastened adjacent the terminal end of a loom lay, a shaftsupported by the bracket, a picker stick check arm pivotally mounted atone end on' the shaft for displacement ina vertical plane in the path ofpicker stick travel, the free end of the arm having an impact cushionthereon, a pair of adjustable stops supported on the bracket in spacedrelation to limit angular check arm displacement, spring means normallyurging the check arm against one of the stops,.a gate arm pivotallymounted on the bracket for lateral displacement in a horizontal plane inadvance of the check arm to partially check picker stick momentum, saidgate arm having a reach of material of substantially high coefiicient ofsliding frictional resistance secured thereto, resilient means Vforyieldably resisting gate arm pivotal movement, a guide wall having areach of material similar 1to said material on the gate arm mounted inspaced lateral relation to the gate arm and providing an entrance gapfor a picker stick, said gap beingiinsuicient to permit free passage ofa picker stick therethrough Without forcing the gate arm to bedisplaced.

7. A picker stick check apparatus lfor a loom comprising, incombination, a bracket fastened adjacent the terminal end of a loom lay,a shaft supported by the bracket in the path of picker stick travel, apicker stick check arm 1sivotally mounted at one end of the shaft fordisplaceable movement in a vertical plane, a pairof stops for limitingpivotal movement of the check arm in both direotions,.meaus for normallyurging the check arm against one of the stops and for yieldablylresisting picker stick movement, a gate arm pivotally mounted on thebracket for lateral displacement in a horizontal plane in advance of thecheck `arm to partially absorb picker stick momentum, said gate armhaving `a reach of frictional material secured thereto, and resilientmeans for yieldably resisting gate arm movement whereby upo-n pickerstick movement the gate arm will be shifted laterally out of the path ofthe picker stick.

8. A picker stick check mechanism for looms comprising a bracket member,a shaft supported by said bracket member, a bearing on said shaft, apicker stick check yarm pivotally mounted on said bearing, a pair ofspaced stops supported by said bracket lfor limiting the pivotalmovement of said arm in both directions, meansnormally urging said armagainst' one of said stops, said shaft having a passageway thereinleading to said bearing, and a lubrication fitting supported by theshaft to communicate with the passageway.

9. A picker stick check apparatus for looms comprising a bracketfastened adjacent tothe terminal end of a loom lay, a shaft supported bysaid bracket, a beating on said shaft, a picker stick check armpivotally mounted on said bearing, a pair of spaced adjustable stopssup- '(5 ported on the. bracket lfor limiting the pivotal movement ofsaid arm in both directions, means normally and yieldably urging thecheck arm against one of said stops, said shaft having a passagewaytherein leading to the bearing, a lubrication fitting supported on theshaft and communieating with the passageway, said means including asleeve encircling the shaft, means carried by the sleeve' for retainingsaid sleeve in a selected rotated position on the shaft, a resilientmember embracing said sleeve and including rst and second end portions,said sleeve having a hole in one end for receiving the rst end portionof said resilient member, a hook on the second end portion of saidresilient member, and la skirt projecting from said arm for receivingsaid hook.

l0. A picker stick check apparatus for looms comprising a bracketfastened adjacent to the terminal end of a loom lay, a shaft supportedby said bracket, a bearing on said shaft, a picker stick check armpivotally mounted on said bearing, a pair of spaced stops supported onthe bracket for limiting the pivotal movement of said arm in bothdirections, means normally and yieldably urging said arm against one ofsaid stops, said shaft having a passageway therein leading to thebearing, a lubrication fitting supported on the shaft and communicatingwith the passageway, said means including a sleeve embracing the shaft,means carried by the sleeve for retaining said sleeve in a selectedrotated position on the shaft, a coil spring member embracing saidsleeve and including iirst and second end portions, said bearing havinga notch in one end for receiving the first end portion of said resilientmember, a hook on the second end portion of said resilient member forengaging the check arm, a gate arm pivotally mounted on the bracket forlateral displacement in the horizontal plane in advance of the check armto partially check picker stick momentum, said gate arm having a paddedsurface of frietional resistance material, resilient means for yieldablyresisting pivotal gate arm movement, a stop for limiting gate armdisplacement, a guide wall having a reach of material substantiallysimilar to said material -on the gate arm mounted in spa-ced relation tothe gate arm providing an entrance gap for a picker stick arm, said gapbeing insutlicient to permit free passage of the picker sticktherethrough without urging the gate arm laterally.

ll. A picker stick check apparatus in combination with -a loom laycomprising a bracket member mounted on the loom lay, a shaft supportedby the bracket member in the path of picker stick travel, a picker stickcheck arm' for receiving picker stick impact, a pair of stops supportedby the bracket for'limiting angular displacement of tbe arm, said stopsbeing adjustable relative toeach other, and spring means normally andyieldably urging the arm against one of the stops.

l2. A picker stick check apparatus comprising a bracket for `fasteningadjacent to the terminal end of a loo-m lay, a shaft supported by saidbracket, said shaft having an axial passageway and a transverse openingcommunicating with the axial passageway, a sleeve bearing on said shaft,said sleeve bearing having an opening in registry with the transverseopening, a ring mounted on the sleeve bearing, la picker stick check armhaving at one end a hub portion for rotation on the shaft, said checkarm `having a skirt extending partially around the hub portion to forman arcuate cavity therebetween, the other end of the check arm having apadded surface for contacting a picker stick, said ring having means forlocking the ring on the sleeve bearing, a coil encircling the hubportion and reaching into the cavity 'and having the spring endsretained with one end secured to the ring and the other end secured tothe skirt, means on the bearing sleeve for rotating the sleeve relativeto the hub portion to increase or decrease spring tension with the ringlocked to the sleeve, and a pair of angle stops adjustably supported bythe bracket to limit pivoting dis.-

i placement of the check arm, said skirt contacting a stop in oppositedirections of displacement.

13. A picker stick check apparatus comprising a bracket for fasteningadjacent to the terminal end of a loom lay, a shaft supported by saidbracket, a sleeve bearing on said shaft, a picker stick check arm havingyat one end fa hub portion for rotation on the shaft, said check armhaving a skirt extending partially around the hub portion to form anarcuate cavity therebetween, the other end of the check arm having apadded surface, a ring on the sleeve bearing axially spaced from-the hubportion, said ring having means for llocking the ring to the sleevebearing, a coil spring encircling the hub portion and reaching into thecavity and having the spring ends retained with one end secured to .thering yand the other end secured lto the skirt, means on the bearingsleeve for rotating the sleeve relative to the hub portion to increaseor decrease spring tension with the ring locked to the sleeve, and apair of angle bracket stops supported by the bracket Ito limit angulardisplace ment of the check arm, said skirt contacting a stop in oppositedirections of displacement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS-1,421,172 Clayton June 27, 1922 11,678,268 Northrop July 24, 19281,961,046 Hodge et al. May 29, 1934 2,016,965 Hugginsa Oct. 8, 19352,431,584 Pratt Nov. 25, 1947 2,489,973 Nichols Nov. 29, 1949 2,506,145French May 2, 1950

